Florist: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What florist is

A florist designs fresh or silk arrangements, bouquets and plants for birthdays, sympathy, anniversaries and home decor, and can often deliver them. People use a florist when they want a designed arrangement that fits a specific occasion, color or room.

Signs you need it

  • You need an arrangement for a birthday, anniversary or sympathy visit and want it designed, not picked off a shelf
  • You want flowers delivered to someone who is far away or in a hospital or office
  • You are decorating a home and want an arrangement that fits a specific space and palette
  • You need a plant or a silk piece that will last longer than cut flowers
  • You want flowers that match an event, such as a dinner party or a memorial

What the pro does

  • Talks with you about the occasion, the color, the size and the budget you have in mind
  • Chooses the flowers and greens that are in season and fit the look
  • Designs the arrangement in a vase, box, basket or hand tied bouquet
  • Adds a card or ribbon with the message you asked for
  • Packages the arrangement so it arrives in good shape
  • Delivers it to the address and window you agreed on, if delivery is offered

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the arrangement and the number of stems used
  • Whether the flowers are in season or imported
  • Container type, such as a vase, basket, box or a glass dome
  • Silk or dried material compared with fresh flowers
  • Delivery distance, time window and whether the address is a hospital or an office
  • Custom work such as a sympathy easel, a large sculpture or a floral wall

What a written quote should spell out

  • The arrangement size, the main flowers and the container
  • Any silk, dried or preserved material and whether it is replaced later
  • Delivery fees, the time window and whether the florist will set up at the address
  • Card wording and any ribbon, stand or accessory
  • What the florist does if the flowers arrive damaged

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can you show photos of arrangements you have made in the style I want?
  • Which flowers are in season for the date I need?
  • Do you deliver to the address I need, and what time window can you hold?
  • How do you package the arrangement so it arrives in good condition?
  • What is your replacement policy if the flowers do not last?
  • Can you write the card message for me, and can I see it before it is sent?

Red flags

  • Shows only stock photos and cannot show finished work
  • Does not confirm the delivery window or the address in writing
  • Cannot say which flowers are in season for your date
  • Will not say what happens if the arrangement arrives damaged
  • Asks for payment with no order summary that lists the flowers and the container

What you can do yourself

You can make a simple arrangement at home with a few stems, a clean vase and fresh water changed each day, and keep it away from heat and direct sun. Hire a florist for a designed arrangement, a large piece, a delivery to someone else, or any display that must look finished for an event.

Licenses and permits

No special license is usually required to arrange flowers. Ask whether the florist is a registered business and whether they carry liability insurance for deliveries and setups at homes or venues.

Florist questions

How far ahead should I order?

Order as early as you can, especially for holidays, weddings and the busy spring season, when popular flowers sell out.

Do fresh flowers last longer if they are kept cool?

Yes. Keep the arrangement out of direct sun and away from heaters, fruit and drafts, and change the water as the florist advises.

What should I do if the arrangement arrives damaged?

Take a photo right away and call the florist the same day. A good florist will offer a replacement or a credit.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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